UCSD Central Energy Plant Expansion and Chillers Addition

Future campus growth is dependent on having a reliable utility infrastructure to support new buildings and technologies. This project consists of a new 20,000 square foot building and plant designed to accommodate two 3,000-ton chillers and corresponding cooling towers on the site. The facility will mirror the existing design, is planned for future expansion to the north of the site, and is designed to accommodate a future 4-million-gallon TES tank.

The architectural concept, “Lantern in the Forest,” emerged from the project’s location within the Historic Groves and the building’s internal glow throughout the night, reflecting its role in providing essential power and services to the campus 24/7. Through site analysis of context, constraints, existing grades, and underground utilities, elements were drawn from the existing campus. The building is nestled into the hillside, placing much of the program underground, which functions efficiently while also reducing the perceived scale of the facility. Concrete retaining walls are designed with a heavily textured board-formed finish to help ground the building within the grove, blending with the density of the surrounding trees. Material colors are drawn from the existing landscape.

The sloped roof matches the natural hillside and helps mitigate plant-generated sound to nearby lecture halls and student labs. The chillers and main electrical room are housed on the ground floor, while all pumps and supporting ancillary equipment are located in the basement. Glass roll-up doors allow natural light and visibility between the main building and the cooling towers, which are separated by a vehicular and pedestrian service court. Utilities run below grade, connecting the two structures at the basement level. The new project provides essential power and cooling for recent campus buildings and supports future campus growth.